Learning from three awesome online dating profiles

There isn’t one big secret to success when it comes to online dating. It’s not your profile photo (though a good one helps). It’s not your career or film star good looks. Awesome online dating profiles always stands out from the crowd

It’s not how many messages you send or how much time you spend browsing other people’s dating profiles. Like a recipe for a great dish, having an awesome profile is all about having a combination of ingredients working in your favour. You’ll need a few well-lit photos of yourself, a pinch of wit, a decent helping of honesty, and generous servings of thoughtfulness, individuality, and attention to detail.

In this article, we’re going to introduce you to a few different online dating profiles that each contain varying quantities of those elements. All three profiles manage to stand out from the crowd. They’re unique and showcase the member’s true personality while being free from the usual online dating clichés that people have come to expect.

Each profile is different in the same way that every person is different. That’s why we’re showcasing three of the most popular ‘types’ of online dating profiles. These three examples represent the most common online dating personalities: the thoughtful romantic, the witty comedian, and the spontaneous adventurer.

While each of the sample profiles below is specific to a gender, the core elements of each profile remain the same regardless of whether the member is male or female. Be sure to try them out on our free dating site when you’ve finished!

The Thoughtful Romantic

The one thing I’m most passionate about:

Taking care of others, helping people, and making people smile. Yes, I know that sounds cheesy, but I try really hard to brighten the day of everyone I meet, even if it’s just by asking a cashier how they are or holding the door open for someone. I try to always think about that quote by the Dalai Lama: ‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.’

The most influential person in my life has been:

My grandfather. He lived until his 90s and was beloved by everyone he met. He gave me my curious nature and taught me to always think of others first. He and my grandmother were married for over 60 years before he died, and he always said she was the most precious and important part of his life. The way he treated her – with respect, kindness and gratitude – has really shaped the way I conduct myself in all my relationships, particularly with women.

My friends describe me as:

Warm, generous, thoughtful, and caring.

The one thing I wish people would notice more about me:

I can be forthright and direct when I need to be. Not in a bar fight kind of way, but I do know how to get what I want.

I am looking for:

I love intimacy and getting swept up in a new relationship, that whirlwind when you meet someone and fall for them instantly. I think true romance is about getting to know someone and connecting on a deep level. It’s more than just chemistry and attraction.

Why it works:

This online dating profile is effective because it gives an insight into this user’s personality and makes him sound like someone thoughtful and appealing. He seems unashamed to be a bit of a softie, which is a quality that women tend to respond to. He also makes it clear that he’s assertive and not a complete pushover. His answer to the question about the person that has influenced him most is genuine, and showcases his values and the kind of man he has learned to be.

The reason it’s unique is because he’s managed to come across as a romantic who is guided by certain principles that help him define who he is. Rather than resorting to clichés about candle-lit dinners and long walks on the beach, this member has written clearly and honestly about the person he is in a relationship and in general. He’s shown that he’s thoughtful, considerate, and open to getting to know someone in a meaningful way.

A profile like this would attract a woman looking for someone who will truly consider her needs.

The Witty Comedian

The first thing people notice about me:

I’m not wearing any pants. But then, we leave the gym changing room, and they go, ‘Oh cool, that scruffy-looking guy has some pretty great hair!’

Five things I couldn’t live without

The aforementioned haircut. Hairstylist of said haircut. Shampoo. Conditioner. Hat. (Hey, we all have off days).

The one thing I’m most passionate about:

Wait, I feel like we’ve covered this one already. Other than my lustrous mane, I’m most passionate about fish and chip night at my local, ruining The Hunger Games for my little niece, and my workout playlist.

The three things which I am most thankful for:

My brother and sister and the adorable kids they let me spoil.

More about me:

When I’m not rescuing kittens from trees and singing show tunes to old ladies (what can I say, I’m a selfless guy), I’m catching up with friends, going to the symphony (yes, I promise), and pretending to be Jamie Oliver.

When I’m not rescuing kittens from trees and singing show tunes to old ladies (what can I say – I’m just a selfless dude), I’m catching up with friends, going to the symphony (yes, I promise), and pretending to be Jamie Oliver.

You should contact me if:

You’re not allergic to musicians, sarcasm, or witty repartee.

Why it works:

This is a great online dating profile. It’s immediately witty and self-deprecating. This guy clearly loves making people laugh – and his profile really stands out because of it. He manages to be charming and a little bit cocky as well as sweet and thoughtful, especially when he talks about his nieces and nephews.

The only criticism of this profile is that he may not take himself entirely seriously, and some women may think this means he’s not invested in finding a committed relationship. But if you’re looking for a funny, cheeky guy who clearly loves kids, this could be your dream man.

The Spontaneous Adventurer

Five things I couldn’t live without:

My passport, my iPhone, my best friend, my scrapbook and…tequila.

My friends describe me as:

Easy-going, passionate, creative, and spontaneous.

The three things I’m most thankful for:

1) Having been fortunate enough to visit 59 countries (and counting!)

2) My fantastic friends

3) A great job that allows me to live the life I want and have fun!

More about me:

Hello gents – thanks for stopping by. I’m a creative, fun-loving, energetic and active gal whose favourite words – in any language – are, ‘Please proceed to your gate for departure’. I’ve been bitten HARD by the travel bug and have been lucky enough to visit every continent (well,I’m working on Antarctica!) I love going out, meeting new people and generally getting the most out of life – whether that’s trying new bars and restaurants or picking up a new sport (I once joined in a game of pick-up basketball with a group of kids in Zimbabwe – it was great!) You should shoot me a message if you’re fun-loving, fit, and up for anything – I am!

The most important thing I am looking for in a person:

I’m definitely looking for someone who is in love with life and open to exploring all its possibilities. Travel is a really big part of my life and I’d love to meet someone who wants to join me on my many adventures. I’d definitely like to start a family one day, so I’m looking for a guy who’d also like to raise a couple of beautiful, multilingual, adventurous kids!

Why it works:

There’s no doubt this member is an energetic and spontaneous person with a lust for life. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and you can’t help but smile at her excitement about travelling the world and meeting someone to share that with.

Telling a story about playing basketball in Zimbabwe not only demonstrates that she’s travelled a lot, but it also gives other members something to talk about in a message. This profile would attract a like-minded guy who’s attracted to her adventurous streak, but she’s also made it clear that she’s committed to finding a serious relationship and hopefully starting a family when the time is right.

Better profiles get better results

It’s important to remember that while there are no magic ingredient to finding success with online dating, there are key ways to showcase your personality and to get the attention of prospective matches.

Here are the five most important characteristics of a great online dating profile:

They’re sincereA great dating profile makes you want to learn more about a person because it seems genuine and real. You get the idea that this profile reflects a person with real interests and aspirations, not just a robot.

They use humourHumour is a much sought-after quality in a potential partner. Whether it’s adding in a witty or self-deprecating line about yourself, telling a joke, or incorporating song titles into your ‘About Me’ section, including a little bit of humour in your profile goes a long way to getting you attention.

They don’t use clichésThe best profiles don’t have to resort to overused words and phrases. Members who take the time to talk about themselves in a unique way are more likely to gain the attention of other members, simply because it’s so refreshing to read a really original profile.

They’re clear about what they’re looking forGreat online dating profiles make it clear that the user knows what they want out of a match – whether it’s marriage and children or a partner to travel and share life with.

They include a call to actionA successful profile will often have an invitation for users to get to know them fmore, whether that’s a cheeky, ‘This is more information than I’d share with my mum, so you should probably ask to find out more!’ or a line about the kind of people you want to message you.

Great dating profiles are ultimately a reflection of the people who create them – so use this opportunity to think about the side of yourself you’d most like to show people. Whether you’re a romantic, a comedian, an adventure-seeker, none of these things – or all of them – use your dating profile to allow others to see you at your very best.

We hope you’ll keep these great profiles in mind while you’re creating your eharmony online dating profile – and let us know it goes!